An "A" player is not a pro. Johnnyt
Break & Run 15 Balls on BB?
- Thread starter Johnnyt
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An "A" player is not a pro. Johnnyt
I'd say your skill level assumptions are pretty close. I just started hitting balls this past few days after not touching a cue all summer. In our area halls, I'm considered an "A" player, and in the local bar leagues, I'm considered an "A+" player. So, I see this thread, and head downstairs to my mint condition 7' Valley Cougar bar table (just so you know what I'm playing on). I play 10 racks using BIH. I run racks 1,4,5,6,7,8,10. Racks 2,3...I lost concentration and missed after about the 7th ball. Rack 9...I missed on the last shot !!!! So, I run 7 outta 10 (shoulda been 8) and just started practicing again after a long lay-off. My point is...your pretty close on your figures.
Oh...and for the guys struggling...remember to use your opening BIH shot to break out the worst cluster. After that...its shoot easy...control the CB as much as you can...and try not to move too many other balls around. For you "B" and "C+" players...remember that you can control "follow" alot easier than you can control "draw". Stay focused.
Oh...and for the guys struggling...remember to use your opening BIH shot to break out the worst cluster. After that...its shoot easy...control the CB as much as you can...and try not to move too many other balls around. For you "B" and "C+" players...remember that you can control "follow" alot easier than you can control "draw". Stay focused.
I'd say your skill level assumptions are pretty close. I just started hitting balls this past few days after not touching a cue all summer. In our area halls, I'm considered an "A" player, and in the local bar leagues, I'm considered an "A+" player. So, I see this thread, and head downstairs to my mint condition 7' Valley Cougar bar table (just so you know what I'm playing on). I play 10 racks using BIH. I run racks 1,4,5,6,7,8,10. Racks 2,3...I lost concentration and missed after about the 7th ball. Rack 9...I missed on the last shot !!!! So, I run 7 outta 10 (shoulda been 8) and just started practicing again after a long lay-off. My point is...your pretty close on your figures.
Oh...and for the guys struggling...remember to use your opening BIH shot to break out the worst cluster. After that...its shoot easy...control the CB as much as you can...and try not to move too many other balls around. For you "B" and "C+" players...remember that you can control "follow" alot easier than you can control "draw". Stay focused.
Thank you for your input. A big spread break and using BIH to break out the worst cluster are two big keys on running racks doing this drill. No matter how good you break on a BB you will just about always have clusters to deal with. Johnnyt
That is an interesting question. I don't think you can assign a blanket rating to a player. There are pro 9 ball players who are B players at 14.1...I think Van Boening's high run is 50 balls.
Gives me an idea for a similar question but instead of hijacking Johnny's thread I will start a different one.
Gives me an idea for a similar question but instead of hijacking Johnny's thread I will start a different one.
Well I just got back from the pool hall and did not think about bringing my camera nor the bar table challenge until I had been practicing for about an hour or so and got bored. I opened up the bar table at Kolbys and these are what I got and I felt I could have done better because I missed some simple shots actually and one time took a funky cut on a ball into the side with a wide open rack. I will do this again sometime this week and bring my camera and try to beat this 130, like I said I am only a B player but my friend who is an A player said 130 seemed strong.
14
15
12
9
15
15
9
15
15
11
Total: 130
Thanks Lenny. That's pretty strong for a "B" ranked player IMO. Was it a Valley or a Diamond? Johnnyt
It was on a Valley, I think getting 130 on a Diamond would be tough. For my first time out I was surprised how well I did as I have never done it before. As I said I think I will break the 130 the next time I try and have my camera there to record it, would be nice to get a perfect 150, with some time and focus I think its possible. :smile:
Shoot any ball, good shooter should be out 99% of time. Cluster tables would offer so many more combo, caroms... I wouldn't take a monster break, just spread'em to half table, take ball in hand and play it like a great 14.1 break.
What a difference the standard Valley rails make. They bank like crap but it's hard to miss a pocket with them buckets. After I put them on I warmed up for about 30 balls and then ran 15, 15, 11, 15. I'll finish the last 6 racks later after nap. Wife dragged me around Walmart for 2 hours in the middle of the night. Funny how my feet know they should get tierd walking around stores and not bother me for 3 hours walking around a pool table. Johnnyt
. Johnnyt
That's why I never subscribed to "the BB can be tough due to more clusters, yada, yada,..."
From what I've experienced, there really aren't THAT many more cluster issues. If anything, having huge, forgiving pockets that can suck balls in, even if the OB hits a half diamond from the corner, but still goes in, is the reason why shotmaking on a BB is a joke. That, and the fact that you have no long shots, ever.
Of course, a Diamond BB with pro cut pockets is a whole 'nutha beast.
Eric
What a difference the standard Valley rails make. They bank like crap but it's hard to miss a pocket with them buckets. After I put them on I warmed up for about 30 balls and then ran 15, 15, 11, 15. I'll finish the last 6 racks later after nap. Wife dragged me around Walmart for 2 hours in the middle of the night. Funny how my feet know they should get tierd walking around stores and not bother me for 3 hours walking around a pool table
Ran out 3 of 4 racks, that's pretty strong Johnny. My focus is crap. I tried this yesterday and only got out once in 5 tries. On the other four, I missed easy shots due to a lack of concentration.
Couple things, after the break you said bih, I did bih in the kitchen & could only shoot out. Any balls I made on the break I spotted. I did it on a 7 ft. Diamond smart table with pro cut pockets.
Here's my score:
15, 15, 15, 10, 15, 11, 14, 15, 15, 15 = 140
Consistancy is my problem, if I could do this all the time, I figure I might be about a C+. I'm going try to work on this as much as possible because it would probabley help my 14.1 game. The best I have on that is 41 on the same table. Alot of guys around here beat me pretty regularly.
I think I might start trying to do balls in rotation till I can't get anymore, then look for another set to do. Either forward or backwards.
Here's my score:
15, 15, 15, 10, 15, 11, 14, 15, 15, 15 = 140
Consistancy is my problem, if I could do this all the time, I figure I might be about a C+. I'm going try to work on this as much as possible because it would probabley help my 14.1 game. The best I have on that is 41 on the same table. Alot of guys around here beat me pretty regularly.
I think I might start trying to do balls in rotation till I can't get anymore, then look for another set to do. Either forward or backwards.
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Wait now. You spotted balls made on the break, you played out of the kitchen after the break, you ran out 7 out of 10 times, and you never had less than 10 in any rack, and you're calling yourself a C+? Sounds to me like you're selling yourself a bit short my friend.
That drill would be an "A" in my book. Nice shooting. Johnnyt
With a decent break, I would say that is around B speed if you can put on the same performance most of the time. If it was a one time thing and you were just in dead stroke at that point, you might be a C. If you can do that all the time, with some better performances, that would be A.
What is the pocket size of a Diamond Smart Table stock?
This morning on my Valley with the standard rails back on I ran 8/10 racks with a total of 135 total balls made in the 10 racks. A standard Valley is very easy to pocket balls. I even ran 96 in 14.1 just before I put the Ridgebacks on. Since then I haven't come close to that. I think about 60 is the best I've been able to do with the RB's on.
If you notice I said 4 1/2" pockets or smaller at the start of this thread. Johnnyt
This morning on my Valley with the standard rails back on I ran 8/10 racks with a total of 135 total balls made in the 10 racks. A standard Valley is very easy to pocket balls. I even ran 96 in 14.1 just before I put the Ridgebacks on. Since then I haven't come close to that. I think about 60 is the best I've been able to do with the RB's on.
If you notice I said 4 1/2" pockets or smaller at the start of this thread. Johnnyt